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After their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to improve their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that represented the team's finest display this year.

In his debut international start at full-back, the player scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly challenging run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this seems like home.

"Whenever I get to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you may not receive that privilege again.

"My entire focus this period was to take the field and do what I could do."

Manager stated: 'Excellent players require no excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the full-back role for the initial time with several players unavailable.

In his case, it was essentially a matter of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the Test squad.

After returned last month, he suffered a foot problem that made him unavailable for previous matches.

The coach had indicated that the player was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive selection headache for future games.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those different colored boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just did that himself anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's got a great approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."

Hansen's performance also earned praise from the rival coach, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his experience showed to the fore," said the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the best opposition performer on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what enables the player a good option at full-back, Farrell added: "Appearing in the center of the field is something that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

"His high ball work was excellent, don't you think? I believed we persisted of executing the right approach and that was placing the ball again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was getting the balls returned, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and throw-in functioned effectively and different player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.

But perhaps more pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the game with two impressive periods.

Hansen's initial couple of tries occurred in the opening eleven minutes while additional teammates scored in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home side concluded on a high.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and approached the game right from the word go," said the coach.

"How we handled various elements during the game, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to the previous season's tied two-Test contest on rival territory.

The coach's side will require to attain another standard to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a significant step in the right path after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.